This school year, students from P.J. Jacobs Junior High School in Stevens Point, Wis., joined 335 students who are part of MySciLife, using technology to literally "live" as a science concept—such as trying to be a cell, a rock, or an animal—and interact with other students from 15 classrooms in seven states across the United States.

The Next Generation Science Standards, based on the Framework for K12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council, are now available. Download a printer-friendly version here or click on the videos to learn more. An interactive version will be available soon.

The Kansas State Board of Education is expected to take another look next month at a research report showing many elementary teachers have cut back or eliminated the time they spend teaching science, even though they still post science grades on student report cards.

Discovery Education and 3M have named 14-year-old Deepika Kurup from Nashua, N.H., winner of the 2012 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her innovative, cost effective, and sustainable water-purification system.